Bulbs in spring?

annaneaves(Canada (NS))April 26, 2005

I'm fairly new to gardening (I started on my home garden last summer) I relaized this year that I have nothing in my garden that comes up early! Everyone else around me has crocuses, tulips and daffs that are starting to come up (some are evem blooming) I want to put a bunch of these bulbs in my garden this year. I don't care wether or not they do anything this year,(it would be nice to see them do something this year, but next spring is what I'm working towards) but can I plant them now? (Or whenever I get them) or is it best to wait untill fall? Everything I've read says they should be planted in fall, but it doesn't say wether it would kill them to be planted in spring.

I had seen people that planted outside tulips grown in pots, but didn't tried myself.
The earliest my plants, other than bulbs, are Oriental Poppies and rock garden plants - only folliage, but it is very nice!

It typically takes a couple of years for potted bulbs, that were forced into bloom indoors, to bloom again when planted outdoors. This is because of inadequate light conditions indoors, during the period after blooming when the bulb would be growing its foliage fully and photosynthesizing vigorously to replenish the energy stores in the bulb. Forced bulbs, if they were not too weakened by their time indoors, will send up only foliage for a year or two, until the bulb has finally stored enough energy again to bloom.
Alpines also provide very early blooms, at the same time as the bulbs, if you choose species to do so.

Buy bulbs in the fall for spring bloom. Spend a little more and purchase from a good nursery.
Many of the small bulbs blooming in my garden right now are relatively inexpensive to purchase and last for years and years.
Look for bulbs that are good for naturalizing. This means they will spread and your spring show will get better and better every year.
Bulbs are very addictive though. Be forewarned.
Hope this helps.